Black Heritage:Quilting in the Family

Image:Presenting Grandma Malinda's Quilt at the Wade/Johnson Family Reunion. One of the things that I recall from Sunanda's African-American Artist History class is the tradition of quilting and furniture making in African-American culture. I also having being reading a book entitled African-American women artists, and quilting was a traditional format of creative expression for female slaves that has carried out to the current culture of African-American women. What I didn't know is that my great-grandmother Malinda Harper was a well-known quilter(And I wonder why I like to work with my hands). So I've posted a image my mom recently sent me of a quilt that my great-grandmother had done which was presented at our recent family reunion. I was totally blown away. I always knew that my family had a very artistic background, but it is interesting to know to what degree. I also discovered that she  used to make the communion bread at her local church(somehow this explains a lot for me too). So I believe going towards the next residency I would like to use the idea of quilting as a inspiration. Perhaps using the pattern formality of quilting to reference and speak about social issues within the African American culture. I still would like to address colorism because I feel like there was so much that I wanted to do this past semester but didn't because of time constraints so I feel I'm going to lay it all out this semester. I actually did take quite a few photographs this semester for a side piece that I was working on, and I will hopefully bring some of the images to the residency if I can. But for now things are going to get interesting. I have a crit with Sunanda tomorrow and I really don't know what to expect from him. We'll just have to see... I'll let you know what happens:)

The Big Layout on Colorism

To all that contributed their stories to my colorism project, I just wanted to show you all what I was able to put together with all your wonderful text. Looking at this image it's hard to define the scale but it's a 40x60 magazine spread on the affects of colorism. After I put together this piece, I found a recent article in Bookforum entitled Voices Carry by writer Lawrence Hill that pretty much sums up the relevance  of this approach.He quotes Henry Louis Gates in his review of Andrew Ward's The Slave's War: The Civil War in the Words of Former Slaves. He quotes Gates' theory that "life stories" are the most important statement a black author can make to illustrate the African-American experience, and the tradition of story-telling in the African-American community. Magazines are ways inwhich ideas are communicated, and shared. So in this piece I choose to display the stories that were contributed as a artistic approach of publishing the need of voices to speak and expose the pain that the issues of colorism has caused. I was very amazed and blown away by all of the stories, particularly because most of the people here have a close connection to me whether a childhood friend or family member. It was amazing that eventhough we all held close relationships we never were able to communicate this sort of inner turmoil, yet at the same time coming to grips and loving ourselves all at the same time. It's truly remarkable. I believe that this piece also address the idea of publishing as a platform where people feel either comfortable or uncomfortable about expressing their opinions and thoughts. Please let me know what you think.

Delayed but not Denied

Images: Top, AIB residency space. Second,   Being Black1,93 mixed media illustrations

on index cards, 2008. Third, What is a yellowbone?installation, artificial bone,clay, and glue on painter's linen.2008

So I know that these images are long overdue, but I attribute it too my perfectionism with images and the way they are displayed. Anywho, here are images from the colorism piece that I've been working on. They are images taken while here at the AIB residency, but I figure it's better late than never. Some of my group mates complained about the lack of images on my blog so here ya go! I'll be sure to overwhelm everyone next time with images. 

So far I've received one crit at the residency and to my surprise it was mentioned that the work is too "literal." An opposite to what I received last residency, but I was told it was attributed to the religious notions in my previous works. I'm not sure how I perceive that entirely, but I do think it's interesting. I've always wanted to use text in my work, however I knew I would receive a lot of flack for not using any photography like I did last residency. I definitely would like to combine the too, but I think it was definitely necessary to go to this extreme so that I can strip away.Because as my studio mentor told me, I had enough content but just needed to express the content. I'm glad that Oscar Palacio is going to be my faculty advisor this semester.He deals with issues of race in his work, and I know he enjoys this type of work. The tricky part will be to find a studio mentor that will be able to work with me this semester. There have been plenty of suggestions, but we will have to see.Well enjoy and until next time...

Soon and very soon

It has been a terribly long time since I've posted an entry, however, this doesn't mean I haven't been busy getting things together. I can't believe its almost that time again. It's almost residency time. It's a weird feeling because the first residency wasn't the best experience to me, but I'm hoping that this one will be better the second time around.

A lot has transpired during the past months. I've been doing quite a bit of reading and researching on the topic of colorism. In addition, I've been learning a wealth of information concerning black art history. This is a interesting term because it isn't used very much in your typical art history class. However, I find this information very useful to help me sort through the fact that many black artists nor their art are not included in many mainstream art history writings. 

More contemporary art historians have commented of their existence but I've learned much more through studying the writings of popular African-American art historians like Sharon Patton and Richard Powell. I have to be honest when I say that these two writers have inspired me greatly through this process. I sat in Sunanda's African-American artists course for the first couple of months, yet found myself not feeling inspired only sadden at the fact that it was the first time I had ever heard of many of these African-American artists. It just seems pitiful that their names are hardly recognized or mentioned in the big scheme of things.

One thing that I pondered while  in Sunanda's class was whether people really care to hear the experiences and input of artists of African descent. It's alarming to see how many artists were never recognized for their skill-level. Though this  clearly shows the grim times they lived in. I say this not implying that things are so perfect now. I do feel that progress has been made through the years. It seems like our voices are more readily heard in Europe and some parts of this country, depending on the curatorial schedules of many museums. As long as the contemporary art world continues to be experimental in nature and open to various different points of view, I believe there will always be a place where everyone of every culture or gender can be heard. At least that is the hope.

This thought has transferred into my recent works, in that I hoped to put together a number of different thoughts that speak on a central idea. I am happy that I've been able to accomplish all that I have so far. Just a little longer to go! Jane Marshing has been great and the best mentor I could have picked in this first semester. Adam McEwen has also been great. You can also tell when something is going to be good, because the beginning starts off rocky. He has been very helpful in keeping my thoughts in order, and I'm glad that he is excited about my idea.

What am I working on? I'm putting the finishing touches on the yellow bone piece. I initially thought of  having this piece on the wall, but then decided that the context fit better at a lower point of view. I've used artificial bones to proclaim a question in regards to the way terminology is used in the African-American culture. Using self-drying clay and glue I've been able to create a archaic feeling of discovering something from of old that is being brought to the light. I still have some additional photographs that I would like to take this week, and I just finished compiling all of the stories and experiences from family members, friends, and associates on the affects of colorism. I decided months ago that I wanted to use their stories to put together a very special piece incorporating their written words. I've done something similar with the Covered series, but this time its not including photography to explain them. This time I've decided to let the words speak for themselves. Sometimes its best to keep it simple. This is very important to me because I've always wanted to incorporate the lives of people that I encounter and their experiences in my work. I'm a person who really finds joy in seeing how people overcome various issues in their lives, and in my on artsy way I want to be able to share those same stories to others so that they might be encouraged as well. Well I think that was a good enough update for now. Until next time!

All is well

So far so good... I had a productive meeting with my studio mentor, Jane Marsching, this week and I have a lot to work on. It's very motivating, especially now that my studio is all ready to go.  Jane felt that it would be good to focus on one thing at a time for now, because it would help me to be more productive. And obviously the best thing is to do is more readings. She felt it was good that I am sitting in Sunanda Sanyal's African American Artists class. Unfortunately, I had to miss it this week because of work, but I'm blessed to find a art history student in class that is willing to fill me in.

One thing that we talked awhile about was the existence of colorism in fashion advertisements. I know this is something that is commented within many columns about the subject. I find it very interesting that there are a lot of articles talking about colorism in African-American magazines. It seems to hint on what I"m trying to discuss within my work. Its altogether fascinating and amazing that events are in sync with my project. I have to be honest... It doesn't get any better than that. Better yet, Spike Lee's School Daze, the movie that was highly request in my academic research was highlighted in Vibe magazine's Feb 08 issue (Back in the Daze by Keith Murphy). There was an extensive interview on Spike Lee and the rest of the cast about the movie and how it was such a huge statement during the late eighties. So of course this is going to be my next assignment. I'm going to be looking at it in reference to my project. Another interesting article was in Ebony magazine's Feb 08 issue Two Sides: Do Light-Skinned Black people Have an Advantage?. This was a very interesting article because it gave perspectives of a light-skinned journalist and that of a dark-skinned journalist. Both of these two women brought very powerful point of views. If anyone is interested in this subject you should check it out. Well... as I said again there is much I need to do so I'll update more later.

Next week

I'm so excited because next week will be my first meeting with my studio mentor, Jane Marsching. You can check out her website at www.janemarsching.com. I really believe she is going to be great for me this semester, I'm sure I'll have lots to report after my meeting with her.

Residency Summary

The MFA in Visual Arts low residency was full of colorful suggestions. Most suggestions came after my point of focus was established. During the following semester issues of colorism in African-American culture will be addressed, and confirms that its affects produce division. During the residency there were many suggestions that provided a basis of conversation for future works.

At the residency most of the works presented vocalized a variety of different statements, which caused much confusion and questioning of my focus for future works. Considerate suggestions were made about how to arrange and rearrange works for future residencies. Display is an important element for the accessibility of art, so one strategy for this semester will require sensitivity in this area.

The abstract painterly quality in the Seven Sisters series was admired by many critique group members. Out of all of the works shown it was one of the strongest pieces suggested. Though the series was done through photographic medium, many felt this style could suggest success with actually pursuing painting. Another suggestion was to take photographs and paint over the images. Other good points were to study the spiritual in abstract art, or studying the street photography of German photographers. Many also suggested that the images show more detail, it was argued that the images could have taken place anywhere. The next concept to think about is creating images that show more characteristics of the area. Adam McEwen was the only one at the residency who identified the subject of the images being from England. However, he also felt that it seemed more like an exercise than a conceptual piece.

The Covered series was more unclear to most people at the residency, and it was suggested that the concepts within the piece be broken down into more simpler, identifiable forms. As a conceptual piece it deemed more important that the ideas be more visual than symbolic, and that the works be presented more accessible to everyday people. The Christian themes within the piece, as well as other pieces, were seen as a barrier to some. Discreet, non-suggestive titles were suggested to allow the images to be more accessible to those who aren’t Christian.

Jan Avgikos felt it was interesting that the models in the Covered series looked so similar to the artist. As a black woman in the program, she felt that there were concepts that I could contribute to examine diversity issues in the art world. She felt that there were subliminal messages that were speaking through this series. Messages that weren’t relative to the original intent and concept of the piece. She also felt that the digital paintings, Spiritual Warfare, were the strongest pieces. There seemed to be an opportunity to expound on this particular medium to facilitate ideas. Also, it appeared that digital art and video would allow me the use of a variety of skill sets. Such a project would give opportunities to build a set, sculpt certain objects, and merge them within one piece. This was determined to be an effective way to communicate narrative themes that my work has covered.

At the conclusion of the residency numerous suggestions in regards to African-American artists were made in reference to my independent study plan. Majority of those suggested were African American women who have dealt with similar issues of race and skin tone in their works. Among them were Kara Walker, Carrie Mae Weems, Adrian Piper, Lorna Simpson, David Hammons, Mona Hatoum, Byron Kim, Faith Ringhold, Maureen Fleming, Bell Hooks, and Ellen Gallagher. It was also suggested that I sit in on Sunanda Sanyal’s course on campus called, “African American Artists: The Harlem Renaissance through the Civil Rights Movement.”

Recommended Readings:

Location of culture / Homi K. Bhadha.

Orientalism / Edward W. Said.

David Hammons by Kellie Jones, Interview

Film: School Daze by Spike Lee